The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

he encountered the divine chief of the celestials
himself. The illustrious Arjuna, with his shafts
baffled the pouring Indra. Yakshas, and Nagas,
and Daityas, and all others proud of their might, were
slain by that foremost of men. That also is known
to thee. On the occasion of the tale of cattle,
the Gandharvas headed by Chitrasena and others were
vanquished by him. That firm bowman rescued you,
while you were being carried away by those Gandharvas.
Nivatakavachas also, those enemies of the celestials,
that were unslayable in battle by the celestials, themselves,
were vanquished by that hero. Thousands of Danavas
dwelling in Hiranyapura, that tiger among men vanquished.
How can human beings then withstand him? O monarch,
thou hast seen with thy own eyes how this host of
thine, although exerting themselves so heroically,
hath been destroyed by the son of Pandu.’

“Sanjaya continued, ’Unto Drona who was
thus applauding Arjuna, thy son, O king, angered thereat,
once more said these words: ’Myself and
Duhsasana, and Karna, and my maternal uncle, Sakuni,
dividing this Bharata host into two divisions (and
taking one with us), shall to-day slay Arjuna in battle.’
’Hearing these words of his, Bharadwaja’s
son, laughing, sanctioned that speech of the king
and said, ’Blessings to thee! What Kshatriya
is there that would slay that bull amongst Kshatriyas,
that unslayable one, viz., the bearer of Gandiva,
that hero blazing forth with energy? Neither
the Lord of treasures, nor Indra, nor Yama, nor the
Asuras, the Uragas, and the Rakshasas can stay Arjuna
armed with weapons. Only they that are fools
say such words as those thou hast said, O Bharata!
Who is there that would return home in safety, having
encountered Arjuna in battle? As regards thyself,
thou art sinful and cruel and suspicious of everybody.
Even them that are employed in thy welfare, thou art
ready to rebuke in this way. Go thou against the
son of Kunti, for withstanding him for thy own sake.
Thou art a well-born Kshatriya. Thou seekest
battle. Why dost thou cause all these unoffending
Kshatriyas to be slain? Thou art the root of this
hostility. Therefore, go thou against Arjuna.
This thy maternal uncle is possessed of wisdom and
observant of Kshatriya duties. O son of Gandhari,
let this one addicted to gambling proceed against
Arjuna in battle. This one, skilled in dice,
wedded to deception, addicted to gambling, versed in
cunning and imposture, this gambler conversant with
the ways of deceiving, will vanquish the Pandavas
in battle! With Karna in thy company, thou hadst
often joyfully boasted, from folly and emptiness of
understanding, in the hearing of Dhritarashtra, saying,
’O sire, myself, and Karna, and my brother Duhsasana,
these three, uniting together, will slay the sons of
Pandu in battle.’ This thy boast was heard
in every meeting of the court. Accomplish thy
vow, be truthful in speech, with them. There thy
mortal foe, the son of Pandu, is staying before thee.
Observe the duties of a Kshatriya. Thy slaughter
at the hands of Jaya would be worthy of every praise.
Thou hast practised charity. Thou hast eaten (everything
ever desired by thee). Thou hast obtained wealth
to the measure of thy wish. Thou hast no debts.
Thou hast done all that one should do. Do not
fear. Fight now with the son of Pandu.’
These words said, the battle commenced.’”